December 2018

Find a winter walk on the appNo doubt you'll be looking for a nice winter walk sometime over the festive season, or even a handful if you're feeling energetic. If you haven't already done so, do consider downloading the Walkingworld app (which comes in Android and iOS variants and can be found by searching for Walkingworld - all one word - in the respective app stores).

The app makes it very easy to follow the Walkingworld 'step-by-step' directions and, providing you have a subscription or have purchased the walk individually, your position is shown on 'proper' Ordnance Survey maps.

If you're near a canal, it can be the ideal location for a family stroll along the flat. The Canal & River Trust is keen to encourage walking along and around their waterways and helping people connect with the varied natural habitats they manage. They have some useful guidance on wildlife and places to visit on their winter walking page. You will, of course, find plenty of canal walks in our own walk library.
'Walking Roots'
This month brings to a close our year-long exploration of the paths and tracks around our tiny Cumbrian hamlet. You can follow the whole story, from prehistoric times right through to the present day on our Walking Roots blog. Click the 'Older posts' button at the very bottom of the page to go right back to the start.

It's a tale that includes Viking invaders, the Romans, coffin roads, miner's and shooting tracks, the coming and going of a railway and the disappearance of an entire hamlet when it was bypassed by a new turnpike road. Who'd have thought a remote settlement in the hills of Cumbria would have so much footpath history? We hope you have enjoyed it.

Inntravel's new walking holidays for 2019Inntravel's 2019 collection is full of inspiration for the coming spring, summer and autumn, and includes no fewer than nine brand-new holidays.

Joining their growing range of Portuguese holidays is From Cape to Castle, a leisurely exploration of the country's little-known Arrábida Natural Park. Only a stone's throw from Lisbon, this is an area with a little bit of everything - white-sand coves backed by lush green mountains, high-quality accommodation, delectable fish and seafood dishes, and superb walking routes. These are not well-trodden trails, and waymarks are a rarity, but Inntravel's detailed notes will guide you effortlessly through the ancient cork forests and tranquil pastoral valleys, and along panoramic coastal paths.

Over in France, there is an exciting new holiday in the Drôme Provençale - known as Secret Provence, a part of the country as yet undiscovered by British tourists, but with everything that has made neighbouring Provence a household name: medieval hill-top villages, fields of lavender and mouthwatering Mediterranean cuisine…

Elsewhere, you'll find exhilarating, high-mountain trails on the Norwegian island of Senja, and a panoramic walk between the spectacular lakes and tranquil foothills of Ticino, the Italian corner of Switzerland. There are also two new holidays for those who prefer to stay closer to home: South Downs Ways and North Wessex & Watership Down both promise charming pub accommodation, excellent food and idyllic walking amid some of the UK's finest scenery.

For more information on these new trips, or on any of Inntravel's walking holidays, visit inntravel.co.uk or speak to their expert team on 01653 617034.

Summer walking in SloveniaNestled in the foothills of the picturesque Julian Alps, Hotel Pri Lenart’s altitude and location allow you to benefit from gloriously stable weather throughout the summer months, with crystal clear views across miles of stunning unspoilt landscapes. The owners have taken the concept of the traditional skiing chalet break and adapted it to walking, to offer an exceptional all-inclusive guided hiking experience.

You can relax during your stay in the picturesque hotel Pri Lenart, knowing that it was awarded 9th best hotel in Europe, and 11th in the world, in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2017. The owners pride themselves on always delighting their guests and providing a truly unique experience. Take a look at the website or email them at info@walkslovenia.com to begin your walking adventure in Slovenia.

Very last minute gift needed?
Don't panic, a Walkingworld subscription is the ideal gift for rambling friends and relatives. With a gift subscription you pay the standard £18 subscription for them and they can start it whenever they like, so they benefit from the full year. It's all done online; there's a PDF sheet you can print out or email to them with a few simple instructions on how to join and redeem their gift.